Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Houtman et al., A Jewish Targum in a Christian World

NEW BOOK FROM BRILL:
A Jewish Targum in a Christian World

Alberdina Houtman, Protestant Theological University, Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman, VU University and Hans-Martin Kirn, Protestant Theological University

What is the use of a Targum in a cultural setting where Aramaic is not a common language anymore? And why would Christians be interested in a typically Jewish text in an otherwise anti-Jewish milieu? These and related questions have served as guides for Alberdina Houtman, Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman and Hans-Martin Kirn in bringing together the articles for the present book, which consists of three parts: 1. Uses and Functions of Targum in Europe; 2. Editing Targums and their Latin Translations; 3. Targums and Christianity. A number of the articles deal with the codicological and paratextual aspects of the relevant manuscripts and editions as witnesses of their cultural historical situations. The intended readership includes specialists in Targum, Jewish and medieval studies, (church) historians, codicologists and (Christian) theologians.